Team USA's Natasha Watley makes contact for a single in the second inning of tonight's win over the Netherlands.

ABBOTT PERFECT VS. NETHERLANDS
2008-08-17

BEIJING, CHINA -- Team USA pitcher Monica Abbott became the second pitcher in Olympic softball history to throw a perfect game, accomplishing the feat in a five-inning win over the Netherlands tonight, 8-0. Japan's Yukiko Ueno had become the first when she tossed a gem August 20, 2004, in a 2-0, seven-inning win over China at the Games in Athens on what was the last day of round robin play.

Tonight's victory by the Americans was shortened due to the run-ahead rule, whereby a game becomes official if a team is leading by 20 runs after three innings, 15 after four, or seven after five.

The day had begun with an intense China-Chinese Taipei game that ended with the latter coming out on top by one.

The Olympic News Service provided this recap of today's games, with tomorrow's four being the end of round robin play...

The United States clinched a spot on the medal podium at Fengtai Softball Field on Sunday when three home runs helped seal an 8-0 victory over the Netherlands in five innings.

Japan held on to second place in the Preliminary Round standings with a 5-2 victory over Venezuela. Australia won a key game against Canada to claim third place.

Chinese Taipei squeaked by China 2-1.

Lo Hsiao-ting scored Chinese Taipei's first run on Chiang Hui-chuan's single to left field. China's first run came in the second inning, when Sun Li drove Wu Di home with a single.

Lu Hsueh-mei put Chinese Taipei ahead for the final time by doubling home Chiang in the fourth inning.

Relief pitcher Chueh Ming-hui pitched in four and two-third innings, giving up no runs, one hit and two walks. She struck out two batters.

China's defeat leaves them level with Chinese Taipei with a record of two wins and four defeats in the tournament.

Japan overwhelmed Venezuela 5-2.

Satoko Mabuchi and Eri Yamada hit home runs to help Japan overcome an early 2-0 deficit.

Mabuchi's home run came in the bottom of the fourth inning off Johana Gomez.

Yamada's two-run home run came off relief pitcher Mariangee Bogado and put Japan ahead 3-2.

Hiroko Sakai pitched the full seven innings for the victory. Sakai, who has three victories and no losses in the tournament, gave up two runs and seven hits while striking out six batters.

Australia blanked Canada 4-0.

Natalie Ward's single off Lauren Bay Regula in the top of the sixth inning broke open a scoreless game.

Stacey Porter scored twice, once off Ward's hit in the sixth, and once off Natalie Titcume's single in the seventh inning.

Losing pitcher Bay Regula struck out six batters but allowed three runs, six walks and one wild pitch. She also hit one batter in the sixth inning. That batter, Porter, scored the winning run.

The victory brought Australia's record to four wins and two losses. Canada's record slipped to three wins and three losses.

The United States dismissed the Netherlands 8-0.

Crystl Bustos and Jessica Mendoza each hit their fourth home runs of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as the U.S. team defeated the Netherlands in five innings.

Pitcher Monica Abbott recorded nine strikeouts and allowed no hits or walks.

The International Softball Federation's run-ahead rule allows for a game be declared complete after five innings if one team is seven or more runs ahead.

The victory guarantees the U.S. club a spot on the medal podium. The team will finish the Preliminary Round of the competition in first place and move to the semifinal round on Wednesday, August 20.

RF = runs for, RA = runs against